do one's duty
Idioms-
Do one's tasks or what is expected of one. For example, He was only doing his duty when he made the children finish their work . [Early 1500s]
-
Defecate or urinate, as in Please keep the dog outdoors until he does his duty . This euphemism for attending to such needs is heard less often today. [1930s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I felt it was my duty to come. I certainly felt it would be an unpleasant experience, but that's not a good enough reason not to do one's duty."
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2013
To do one's duty as a doctor, with one's sole aim the physical health of the patient, may mean to advise what runs counter to the present-day code of morals.
From The Nervous Housewife by Abraham Myerson
It is charming to see such simple tastes and to aspire no higher than to do one’s duty and earn the approval of our fellow-creatures.
From My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills by James Johnstone, chevalier de Johnstone
Our hero was one of those limited few who had sounded the depths of the truth that it was easier to do one's duty than to know it.
From The Story of Isaac Brock Hero, Defender and Saviour of Upper Canada, 1812 by Walter R. Nursey
"To do one's duty in," she replied gently, but rebukingly.
From The Best British Short Stories of 1922 by John Cournos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
